Man 'killed again while on bail'

William O'Connor and Danny Hathaway died in 2007

A 22-year-old man killed a traveller and went on to murder another man while on police bail, a court has heard.

Tony Holland, of Desborough, denies murdering Danny Hathaway, 44, of Corby, Northamptonshire, whose body has never been found, in February 2007.

He also denies fatally stabbing William O'Connor, 20, from Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk, after being released by police, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

Mr O'Connor was found injured behind shops in the town in April 2007.

Mr Holland had been bailed after being arrested on suspicion of Mr Hathaway's murder, the court heard.

Karim Khalil, QC, prosecuting, told the court Mr Hathaway needed to buy land and it is claimed Mr Holland was brokering the deal.

But he said this was not the case - the deal that had been set up was merely a way of Mr Holland getting money from Mr Hathaway whom he knew had money.

Mr O'Connor, known as Bill, had previously "taken fancy to the defendants fiancee" and Mr Khalil claimed Mr Holland had been determined to "clear out the past".

The trial continues.